Fans recall Jackson's talent, not quirkiness

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Published 4:00 am, Friday, June 26, 2009

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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Brenda Ferguson (left) and Kathryn Johnson scoop up Michael Jackson CDs at Rasputin's Records on Powell Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 25, 2009 after word spread of the pop star's death.

Brenda Ferguson (left) and Kathryn Johnson scoop up Michael Jackson CDs at Rasputin's Records on Powell Street in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, June 25, 2009 after word spread of the pop star's death.

With Michael Jackson's music playing in the background, the two city residents in their 40s quickly tracked down his CDs and couldn't help but sing, dance and reminisce over the life of their fallen idol.

"Michael Jackson's just one of the greatest of his time," Ferguson said of the pop icon, who died Thursday in Los Angeles. "Young, old, black, white - everybody loved him. It's a great loss."

"I grew up with Michael Jackson," Johnson added. "I had every picture of Michael Jackson plastered to my wall. My whole room was the Jackson 5. How can we forget about the gloves, the white socks, the loafer shoes, doing the moonwalk and singing 'Billie Jean'?"

Whether it was at music stores, bars, Dolores Park, the Ferry Building or other places, impromptu celebrations of Jackson's life sprang up around the Bay Area as news of his death spread.

"What, really?" said Francis Tigas, 30, who grew up in the Philippines and lives in Concord. "I used to have his ring tone, so every time my girlfriend called me," it was one of his songs.

It was Jackson's moonwalk, though, and his amazing moves that captivated Orinda resident Bridgette Washington.

"He was a phenomenal dancer, and like a lot of the great artists that we see, was ahead of his time," said Washington, who picked up several CDs and DVDs at Rasputin.

"There's always been a lot of controversy around him," she added, "but what sticks out most for me are the music and the dancing. The rest of the stuff, people are always going to think what they want."

Indeed, those outside the music store remembered Jackson as a tragic, though immensely popular, figure.

"He was very good dancer, but he was kind of freaky," said Pilar Solis, who was visiting from Mexico City. "He went from a normal guy, surgery after surgery, trying to be white, and then with all the kid stuff. I mean, I feel sorry for him."

"It's a tragic story, really, despite his brilliance in music, with all the things he did to himself," added Dutch tourist Maarten Booij, 24.

George Cann of Nova Scotia said Jackson's music is what the performer's legacy should be. He cites "Thriller" as his favorite song - "No question" - and like millions around the world, tried to moonwalk to no avail.

"I tried it once, but I was a lot younger," the 65-year-old said. "And I had two good legs."

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